1 Michelin Star Chefs: Woongchul Park, chef owner, Sollip
Woongchul Park is the Chef and owner of one Michelin-starred Sollip in Bermondsey, London
Woongchul realised he wanted to become a chef around the age of 13. He loved bread and thought he might like to earn a living baking it - but decided he lacked the patience to become a baker or a pastry chef, so turned to other foods instead.
Sollip restaurant
Unit 1, 8 Melior Street London, SE1 3QP
Website: https://www.sollip.co.uk/
Tel: +44 (0)20 7378 1742
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm - 9pm
Instagram: @sollip_restaurant
Facebook: @solliprestaurant
Biography
Skipping ahead a few years, Woongchul graduated in South Korea with a degree in Culinary Arts, then moved to Boston USA to work as a chef at the city's Hyatt Hotel.
It was during his year there that he decided he wanted to learn more about the basics of classical French cuisine.
However, not wanting to take time away from cooking to learn a third language, he decided to continue his studies at Le Cordon Bleu in London, a city brimming with great chefs and restaurants.
While at Le Cordon Bleu, Woongchul met his now wife, Bomee Ki, who was studying pastry there at the time.
After he graduated in 2010, he went to work at The Ledbury, then Koffmann's, before returning to work in South Korea.
In 2020, Woongchul and Bomee moved back to London to open their restaurant, Sollip, in London Bridge.
Sollip
restaurant
Sollip (which means "pine needle" in Korean) opened in August 2020 following several months' delay due to the pandemic.
Between March and August, the site operated as a Korean convenience store to generate revenue while the couple awaited the all-clear to open the restaurant.
Sollip's decor is understated and refined, with furniture, cutlery and crockery all imported from Korea; the 30-seat restaurant marries European and Korean cultures in appearance and cuisine.
It was named Harden's London Restaurant Awards' Top Newcomer in 2021, was awarded a star in The Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2022, and ranked 88th in the Harden's top 100 UK Restaurants for 2022.
The Menu
Sollip's menu was described by The Nudge as blending "Korean flavours, classical cooking techniques and locally sourced ingredients masterfully."
Highlights on the seasonal, £97 a head tasting menu include the Gamtae Sandwich - seaweed and caerphilly cheese between crisp fried bread - and sourdough bread made from nurungji.
The couple's mastery of classical French techniques combined with Korean ingredients are a common thread throughout the meal, namely with the daikon Tarte Tatin - a take on the classic where the caramelised apples are replaced with winter radishes - and the traditional Korean rice beverage, Sikhye, served with rhubarb for dessert.
Other Michelin Star Chefs
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